Career Options
Technical writers write manuals that give detailed information on how to install, use, or repair products. They also write technical reports and journal articles. The goal is to make technical information understandable for people who do not have a technical background.
Technical writers must have a high level of communication skills and an aptitude in a science or technology area. Writers should be able to read and understand written information and express complicated ideas clearly in writing.
Because the field of science and technology continues to grow, nationally and in the state of Minnesota, the number of jobs in the technical writing field is expected to increase through the year 2012. Scientific and technical information often needs to be communicated to people who do not have a technical or scientific background. Some technical writers are self-employed so this can be a good field for someone who needs or wants to work from home.
As you think about entering a certificate program and are interested in how it will fit with your career plans, please check the career planning resources to assist you in your career path. Information interviews with people in the field are an excellent way to learn about more career opportunities and potential employment.
The Society for Technical Communication’s 2005 Salary Survey for the United States reports:
Mean* salary, all levels, with a B.S. degree $65,460
Mean salary, all levels, with a master’s degree $70, 660
Mean entry level salary $40,730
Mean Mid-Level, Non-Supervisory $54,190
Mean Mid-Level, Supervisory $71,090
Mean Senior-Level, Supervisory $84,610
*Mean is the value computed by averaging the responses.
Online Resources for Employment and Salary Outlook
The University Libraries Careers and Jobs Web site is a comprehensive site for many aspects of your career exploration. Information on careers in Technical Communication.
CCE’s online career planning resources Web site
General employment resources: http://www.cce.umn.edu/career/tools/resources.html
Labor statistics: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/
State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Minnesota: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mn.htm
